The Healing Slow Cooker: Lower Stress, Improve Gut Health, Decrease Inflammation

Healthier, faster, and simpler are the driving principles of this cookbook from Iserloh, a health coach and recipe developer. Iserloh focuses on superfoods and “adaptogens” (stress-reducing herbs), and organizes recipes under chapter headings such as “Detox and Calm” and “Rebuild and Strengthen.” Each recipe introduction explains the health benefits of the ingredients: strawberry beet soup, for instance, is categorized as a “strength” recipe and is rich in B vitamins and folate, and the Pinch of Cinnamon Bolognese (under “Circulate and Stabilize”) melds the heart-healthy spice with grass-fed beef and pasture-raised pork for a hearty, wholesome version of the Italian pasta sauce. Iserloh’s flavor combinations are smart and approachable. Halibut filets are crusted in pepitas for fish tacos, and chicken is prepared with feta cheese, olives, and pickled peppadew peppers. The recipes are simple, call for easy-to-find ingredients, and should—thanks to the ease of the slow cooker process—appeal to even novice home cooks interested in adding anti-inflammatory dishes to their repertoires. Photos. (Dec.)